'AIEA — A guy whose golf clubs were stolen from his car is being chased by the golfer who conquered Canada last year, assorted Japanese and Mainland pros, Hawai'i's most honored pro and two Hawai'i teenagers who don't drive after yesterday's opening round of the 31st annual Hawai'i Pearl Open.

In the wacky, cosmopolitan world of this tournament, Makoto Endo's story barely raises an eyebrow. The 27-year-old Japanese golfer shot 8-under-par 64 to seize a one-shot lead over John Ellis. Four golfers are at 66. Hawai'i Golf Hall of Famer David Ishii, 'Iolani freshman Lorens Chan and Moanalua senior Tadd Fujikawa — the 2007 Pearl champion — are among those three back.

Endo's sweet score was not a huge surprise in all but windless conditions at Pearl Country Club. That the Waseda University graduate, who plays on the JGTO Challenge Tour and has "never won anything of consequence," accomplished it with a three-day-old set of Titleist clubs was much more compelling.

His regular (Maruman) clubs were stolen from his rental car. Endo did not know anyone here, but when he went to the rental company to report the theft, junior golfer Eimi Koga's mother heard of his plight. She put him in touch with Titleist representative Les Tamashiro, who called Ishii, the tournament director and Pearl's Director of Golf, to check Endo's story.

"David brought him to our warehouse," Tamashiro said, "Next thing we know he shoots a 64."

Tamashiro replaced everything, from balls, caps and gloves to fitting every club but the putter. For the flat stick, Ishii gave Endo a choice of eight he brought from home. When Endo and Tamashiro ended up playing together in Thursday's Pro-Am, the local rep added a range finder to Endo's "goodie bag."

"It was his first time in Hawai'i, he was alone and had nobody else to turn to," Tamashiro said. "I contacted the Japanese Titleist group and this guy was for real. I'll take care of him as much as I can. He's got a great personality, he's a great kid. The people playing with us at the Pro-Am thought he was super nice. That's all we could ask from anyone."

He's also got game. Endo, now practically celebrating the loss of his clubs, buried eight birdies without a bogey. Ellis, who tied for fourth last year in his first Pearl appearance, birdied his first three holes, eagled the par-5 17th when he hit his approach to two feet, then had two more birdies on his second nine to get within a shot.

The 29-year-old from San Jose, Calif., was the Canadian Tour's Player of the Year last season, winning three times and finishing in the top 10 in every start but one. He played with Chan, two-time champion Kiyoshi Murota (70) and reigning Hawai'i State Open champ Nick Mason (68). The foursome was 18-under.

"Lorens is probably the most talented young kid I've played with," Ellis said. "At 14, to have the shots he does, I was really impressed. And he's mature at 14, he handles himself really nicely. He's just really good and the best part is he's a good kid. He had a three-putt on (No.) 1 and he was a little upset, but you learn a lot about somebody when he comes back with three or four birdies. I was very impressed."

Chan channeled his post-bogey anger into three straight birdies and an eagle to climb into the top 10. The 'Iolani freshman who qualified for last month's Sony Open in Hawai'i is in awe of the company he keeps.

"They are really good," he said of his playing partners. "They pull through under pressure. They've experienced a lot. Obviously, Mr. Murota, he's won twice here so I know he knows what he's doing. And John, No. 1 on the money list ... it was just fun trying to keep up with them, and talking and having fun."

They play together again today, beginning at 12:30 p.m., off the first tee. Fujikawa, playing with marshals, a gallery and 2006 Public Links champion Casey Watabu, are right in front of them while Endo goes out at 11:50 a.m. Ishii starts early (8 a.m.) off the first tee.

Fujikawa was 5-under after 10 holes yesterday, and somewhat disappointed he couldn't go lower — "but that's golf ... overall a pretty decent day." The longest of his seven birdie putts was 6 feet. His focus this weekend is the same as it was at Sony, where he was in contention on the final day for the second time in three years.

"Obviously it's a different course, but mentally it's pretty much the same," Fujikawa said. "You're out there to win, just do what you need to do. Just like any other tournament you're going to focus on every shot and not take it lightly. There are still a lot of great players out here."